Lierse knock Genk out of the cup.

KRC Genk failed to qualify for the quarter finals of the Cofidis Cup. On their own turf they lost 0 - 2 to Lierse.

Mario Been refused to shuffle around his team all too much. "I prefer stability," he said beforehand. "I want to eliminate Lierse because the cup is the shortest route towards European football." Nevertheless the Genk coach was forced to make a change in his starting line up at the very last moment. Ogunjimi injured his back and Vossen took his place in attack, teaming up with Barda who made his return after suspension.
With Felisberto, Yasser and Andreasson, three rather unusual names figured in the teamsheet for Lierse. Stein Huysegems returned to the Cristal Arena with his new team, after having left Genk through a back door.

Huysegems scores.

The first fifteen minutes had little to offer. A minor opportunity for Maric that went over the target and a free kick by Tözsèr parried by Kawashime was all the few spectators in the Cristal Arena could cheer for. Through Felisberto, Lierse got the first big chance. Köteles produced a magnificent reflex save to prevent his team from going a goal down. That was shortly after Vossen scored with a beautiful chip over Kawashima but was flagged for offside. Around the half hour Huysegems got his revenge when he surprised Köteles with the outside of his left foot to put his team 0 - 1 in front.

Genk replied with a header from Nadson straight in the arms of Kawashima. And that was about it for the hometeam. Shortly before half time Vossen only just failed to come into a shooting position and Barda's attempt failed in the arms of Kawashima. The blue whites had to go into halftime trailing 0 - 1.

Inglorious second half.

Been took instant action and replaced Buffel and Barda by Dugary and Kennedy. But the visitors scored their second goal. Maric aimed a free kick towards goal and Köteles misjudged the bouncing ball. 0 - 2 and Lierse were well underway to qualifying for the quarter finals of the Cofidis Cup. On the hour the game was almost over when Huysegems towards Köteles all alone. His chip bounced off the post in the arms of the home keeper.

Been brought on Limbombe instead of Vanden Borre. Lierse then put up a double defensive line in front off their goal. And Genk found no way through it because they lacked quality. The final pass nearly always failed completely and apart from an attempt from De Bruyne on Kawashima and a belter by Kennedy that only just went wide they were unable to do more.

KRC Genk line up : Köteles, Anele, Hyland, Nadson, Pudil, Tözsèr, Vanden Borre (62' Limbombe), Buffel (45' Dugary), De Bruyne, Barda (45' Kennedy) and Vossen.

SK Lierse line up : Kawashima, Felisberto, Yasser (76' Dequevy), Claasen, Frans, Gaxa (87' Davids), Wils, Saïdi, Andreasson, Huysegems (83' Kovacs) and Maric.

Scoresheet :

28' : 0 - 1 : Huysegems
54' : 0 - 2 : Maric

Yellow cards : 53' : Anele (foul)

Red cards : none

Referee : Delacour

Attendance : 5.177